Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction for MLB on 7/24

MLB game preview

The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates are set to meet in an MLB regular season game. The Cubs have a record of 57-45, sitting second in the NL Central. The Pirates are close behind with a 53-50 record, ranking third in the division. Both teams are looking to end their one-game losing streaks.

The game will take place at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. The weather forecast calls for a warm day with a light breeze under overcast clouds. The Cubs will start Matthew Boyd, who has a 6-1 record this season, while the Pirates will counter with Jared Jones, holding a 2-1 record. The first pitch is scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, at 6:40 PM. Fans can catch the game on SN LA.

Chicago Cubs Team Preview

The Chicago Cubs have been performing with mixed results in recent games. They won a strong game against the Detroit Tigers on July 21st with an 11-2 score, where David Peterson pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings. However, they faced a setback on July 22nd with a 5-1 loss, where their bats couldn’t find rhythm, managing only four hits.

In terms of batting, the Cubs rank 11th in batting average at .245, and they are 3rd in on-base percentage at .338. Their slugging percentage sits at 7th, showing that they can hit for power with 128 home runs so far. Players like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki are key contributors, with batting averages of .282 and .270, respectively.

Pitching has been inconsistent for the Cubs, with an ERA of 4.27, placing them 19th in the league. Matthew Boyd will start the next game with a record of 6-1 and a 4.15 ERA. The Cubs’ pitching staff has given up 157 home runs this season, which ranks them 26th, highlighting an area for improvement.

Cubs vs Pirates Game Day Info

  • Sport: MLB
  • Teams: Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Venue: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
  • Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
  • Betting Odds: Cubs +105, Pirates -125

Pittsburgh Pirates Team Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown mixed results in their recent games. They managed a strong win against the New York Yankees on July 22nd with a 5-3 score. Mitch Keller delivered a solid performance on the mound, pitching 5 innings with no earned runs. Nick Gonzales contributed with a home run, adding to the Pirates’ success.

In another recent game, the Pirates faced a close loss to the Yankees on July 20th, with an 8-5 score. Braxton Ashcraft struggled, allowing 7 earned runs over 3 innings. Despite the loss, Esmerlyn Valdez hit a home run, showing his ability at the plate.

The Pirates have been strong in their hitting this season. They hold a team batting average of .261, ranking them first in the league. Brandon Lowe leads the team with 21 home runs, while Nick Gonzales maintains a batting average of .313, providing consistent performances.

BTB Betting Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates are favored with a moneyline of -125 against the Chicago Cubs, who are at +105. The Pirates have a slightly better batting average and on-base percentage this season. With these factors, the Pirates are expected to win with a projected score of 5-4.

The total runs for the game are set at 8.0. Both teams have decent hitting stats, but their pitching is average. The projected total score is 9, so taking the over at 8.0 (-114) seems like a solid choice.